JP2008149436A - Moving device, its control system, control program, and supervision system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a moving device capable of moving or acting while avoiding contact with an object and reducing the frequency causing behavior changes of the object such as a human. <P>SOLUTION: It is determined on a discriminating plane including at least a part of representative point trajectory of a robot 1 whether or not there is a first spatial element Q<SB>1</SB>satisfying contact conditions having a possibility of contact with a reference spatial element Q<SB>0</SB>. The reference spatial element Q<SB>0</SB>and first spatial element Q<SB>1</SB>represent current images of the robot 1 and object x, respectively. If determined that there is a first spatial element Q<SB>1</SB>satisfying the contact condition, a second action plan element including changes of the representative point trajectory is assumed, and it is determined whether or not existence of the first spatial element Q<SB>1</SB>is again determined on the discriminating plane. If determined that there is no first spatial element Q<SB>1</SB>satisfying contact conditions on the new discriminating plane, the assumed new second action plan element is established. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a device that moves autonomously according to an action plan, a system that controls the mobile device, a program that gives a control function to a computer mounted on the mobile device, and a system that supervises the mobile device. .

As robots become more sophisticated, opportunities to carry out tasks or tasks such as carrying luggage or guiding people to their destinations are increasing, and robots move while avoiding human contact. The need to do is increasing. Therefore, a technique has been proposed in which the robot is moved while avoiding contact with the object by taking into consideration the moving speed of a plurality of objects (obstacles) around the robot (for example, Non-Patent Document 1). reference). According to this technology, in order to generate an optimal route plan for the robot to reach the destination while avoiding contact with the object, the motion of each object is predicted, and a route where contact does not occur based on this prediction The cycle of planning is repeated in a short time.
Journal of the Robotics Society of Japan Vol. 12, No. 7, pp. 1029-1037 1994 “Planning and Navigation of Mobile Robot Considering Multiple Moving Obstacles Moving on a Plane and Their Speeds”

However, if a robot immediately changes its behavior in response to a change in behavior such as a change in the movement speed (including the movement direction) of the surrounding human, it induces a change in the behavior of that human or another human, The possibility of contact may increase. That is, for example, when a robot immediately moves to the left in response to a person facing the robot moving to the right as viewed from the robot, this person or another person changes its direction as if he or she is dragged. There is a case where the possibility of contact between the two increases. In such a case, it is difficult for the robot and the people around it to move in cooperation.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a moving device or the like that can move or act while avoiding contact with an object while suppressing the frequency of inducing a behavior change of an object such as a human being.

The moving device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a control system, and each of the first action plan element that determines the change mode of the position and the second action plan element that sets the change mode of the posture by controlling the operation by the control system. Accordingly , in the determination surface that independently adjusts each of the position and orientation, the control system includes at least a part of the end point trajectory of the movement device determined based on the second action plan element, A current image of the mobile device, a current image of the object, and an intermittent or continuous future image of the object corresponding to a behavioral state of the object having a larger spatial extent than the current image, respectively, as a reference spatial element, A first processing unit that recognizes each of a spatial element and a second spatial element having a larger spatial extent than the first spatial element; and the first processing unit According recognition result based on the determination of the first as the contact condition at the surface action plan intersection between the reference spatial element when moved along a path as element and the first spatial element and the second that contacts are contact conditions, or satisfy the first contact condition and the second contact condition that the movement cost is defined as the distance from the reference spatial element to said first spatial element, the higher the longer is within the prescribed range A second processing unit that determines the presence or absence of the first space element, and the second processing unit that determines that the first space element that satisfies the contact condition exists on the determination surface is present in the end point trajectory. assuming the second action plan element involving changing, new including at least a part of said end point trajectory after change to the first processor under the assumption Recognizing the reference space element, the first space element, and the second space element on a fixed surface, and determining whether or not the first space element satisfies the contact condition on the new determination surface; In the determination surface including at least a part of the end point trajectory before the change, on the condition that the processing unit determines that the first spatial element that satisfies the contact condition still exists in the new determination surface Based on the recognition result by the first processing unit, the second processing unit changes the route as the first action plan element so that the reference spatial element can avoid contact with the second spatial element. The new second action plan is required as described above on the condition that it is determined that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition does not exist on the new determination plane. And a third processing unit for setting an element.

According to the moving apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the current image of the moving apparatus, the current image of the object, and the intermittent or continuous future image of the object according to the behavior state of the object, "Recognized as" first spatial element "and" second spatial element ". In accordance with the fact that the intermittent or continuous future image of the object has a larger spatial spread than the current image of the object, the second spatial element has a larger spatial spread than the first spatial element in the determination plane. Recognized as That is, the first spatial element is recognized as a spatial element whose spatial extent is smaller than that of the second spatial element on the determination surface. Here, the “determination surface” is a plane or a curved surface defined for two-dimensionally recognizing the position, shape, and spread (size) in a real space such as a moving device. “Determination surface” means “one determination surface” or “each determination surface constituting a determination surface group”. The determination surface includes at least a part of the end point trajectory of the moving device that is determined based on the “second action plan element” that determines the change mode of the posture of the moving device. A “spatial element” on the determination plane is defined as a point, line segment, region, closed curve (region outline), or the like on the determination plane. When the object moves integrally with the moving device, such as when an object is attached to the moving device, the moving device and the object can be combined and recognized as the first spatial element on the determination plane.

Subsequently, the second contact condition as the contact conditions, or the presence or absence of the first spatial element that satisfies the first contact condition and the second contact condition is determined. The “first contact condition” is that the movement cost defined so as to increase as the distance from the reference space element to the first space element becomes longer is within a specified range, or the movement cost is lower than a predetermined rank. It is a condition. The “second contact condition” is a condition that there is an intersection or a contact point between the reference space element and the first space element when moving along the route as the first action plan element. As a result, when it is determined that there is a first spatial element that satisfies the contact condition, a second action plan element with a change in the end point trajectory is assumed. Under the assumption, the reference space element, the first space element, and the second space element are newly recognized on a new determination plane including at least a part of the changed end point trajectory. In addition, the presence or absence of the first spatial element that satisfies the contact condition on the new determination surface is determined.

Then, on the condition that it is determined that the first spatial element that satisfies the contact condition still exists in the new determination plane, the reference spatial element is the second in the determination plane including at least a part of the end point trajectory before the change. A path that can avoid contact with the space element is set as a “first action plan element” that defines a change mode of the position of the mobile device. As a result, the route as the first action plan element is changed in a situation where there is a possibility of contact with the object only by changing the posture of the mobile device. Further, since the moving device follows the route as the first action plan element, the movement can be continued while avoiding contact with the object. On the other hand, on the condition that it is determined that there is no first spatial element that satisfies the contact condition on the new determination surface, a new “second action plan element” is set as the assumption. Furthermore, the movement device can change the posture in accordance with the second action plan element, so that the movement can be continued without changing the route as the first action plan element while avoiding contact with the object.

In addition to the contact with the object being achieved only by changing the posture of the moving device as described above, the frequency of changing the route as the first action plan element is further suppressed for the following reason. That is, the route change requirement is that at least one of the first spatial elements having a relatively small spread on the determination surface satisfies the contact condition. For this reason, the change frequency of the route as the first action plan element and the change in the contact condition are determined rather than the case where the satisfiability of the contact condition is determined based on the spatial element having a larger spread than the first spatial element, such as the second spatial element. The change frequency of the moving direction of the accompanying moving device is suppressed low. And possibility that the behavior change of an object will be induced according to the behavior change of a moving device can be reduced.

In particular, each spatial element is recognized on each of the plurality of determination planes, and the first spatial action element is required to be changed in any one of the plurality of determination planes. Thus, the route can be changed at an appropriate frequency in consideration of the three-dimensional shape and size of each of the moving device and the object. That is, each of the moving device and the object generally has an external characteristic that the shape and size change depending on the position, such as the height from the floor surface. For this reason, the shape and size of each of the reference space element and the first space element recognized on each of the plurality of determination surfaces (including the relative size of the other space element based on one space element). The shape and size of the different parts of the mobile device and the object can be reflected. As a result, in consideration of the behavioral state of each of the moving device and the object, such as the three-dimensional external characteristics, position, and velocity, the moving device recognized as the reference space element avoids contact with the object recognized as the first space element. Therefore, the route as the first action plan element can be changed at an appropriate frequency.

In addition, an appropriate route is set from the viewpoint of reliably avoiding the mobile device from contacting the object for the following reason. That is, when a new route is set, a route that can avoid contact of the reference space element with the second space element having a relatively large spread on the determination surface is set as the new route. For this reason, the viewpoint that the mobile device avoids contact with an object more reliably than when a new route is set with reference to a spatial element whose reference spatial element is smaller than the second spatial element such as the first spatial element. An appropriate route is set from

In particular, each spatial element is recognized on each of the plurality of determination planes, and a path on which the reference spatial element avoids contact with the second spatial element is set as the first action plan element on all of the plurality of determination planes. Thus, in view of the three-dimensional shape and size of each of the moving device and the object, an appropriate route can be set from the viewpoint of avoiding contact between them.

The configuration space element of the present invention “recognizes” information means reading information from a storage device such as a memory, retrieving information from a database, receiving information using a communication function, and retrieving. Everything that prepares information for information processing that requires it, such as measuring, estimating, calculating, setting, and predicting necessary information from basic information and storing the measured information in memory It is a concept that includes information processing.

Mobile device of the second invention, in the mobile apparatus of the first invention, the first processing unit as the discriminant plane including at least part of the upper end trajectory of the first portion of the mobile device serving as the end point trajectory The reference space element, the first space element, and the second space element are recognized on a first determination surface, and the second processing unit performs the contact on the first determination surface based on a recognition result by the first processing unit. It is determined whether the first spatial element satisfying the condition is present, and the third processing unit determines that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the first determination surface by the second processing unit. The processing unit assumes that the upper end point trajectory of the first portion is lowered as the second action plan element.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a moving apparatus according to the second aspect, further comprising: a head provided on the upper side of the base body that is tiltable with respect to a vertical direction as the first portion; The upper end point trajectory of the head by the third processing unit increasing the inclination angle with respect to the vertical direction of the base on the condition that it is determined that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the determination surface. Is set as the second action plan element.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the moving device according to the second aspect, wherein the moving device of the second aspect includes an arm body extending from the base body as the first portion, and the second processing unit satisfies the contact condition on the first determination surface. The third processing unit sets the lowering of the upper end point trajectory of the arm body due to the posture change of the arm body as the second action plan element on condition that it is determined that the first space element exists. And

According to the moving device of the second to fourth inventions, when there is a possibility that the first part of the moving device is in contact with an object, the first portion (head (third invention) or arm (fourth invention) is It is determined whether or not contact with the object can be avoided by lowering the upper end point trajectory. Specifically, when it is determined that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the determination surface including at least a part of the upper end point trajectory of the first part, the upper end point trajectory of the first part is lowered. On the assumption that the second action plan element is changed, the presence / absence of the contact condition is determined on the determination surface including at least a part of the upper end point trajectory of the first portion after the change.

And when the said determination result is negative, while the path | route as a 1st action plan element is changed as mentioned above, a 2nd action plan element is maintained as it is. The moving device can move to the target position while avoiding contact with the object by moving according to the changed route as the first action plan element. On the other hand, when the determination result is affirmative, the route as the first action plan element is not changed, while the second action plan element is changed according to the assumption. Then, the moving device moves according to the route as the first action plan element and changes the posture according to the second action plan element, thereby moving to the target position while avoiding contact with the object. it can. Thereby, the change frequency of the moving direction of the moving device can be kept low, and a situation in which an unexpected behavior change of the object is induced by changing the moving direction of the moving device can be avoided.

Mobile device of the fifth invention, in the mobile apparatus of the first invention, the first processing unit as the discriminant plane including at least part of the lower end trajectory of the second part of the mobile device serving as the end point trajectory Recognizing the reference space element, the first space element, and the second space element on a second determination surface, the second processing unit performs the contact on the second determination surface based on a recognition result by the first processing unit. It is determined whether or not there is the first space element that satisfies the condition, and the third processing unit determines that the first space element that satisfies the contact condition exists on the second determination surface by the second processing unit. The processing unit assumes that the lower end point trajectory of the second part is increased as the second action plan element.

A moving device according to a sixth invention is the moving device according to the fifth invention, comprising a plurality of legs extending from the base body and operating while repeating leaving and landing as the second portion, On the condition that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition is present on the second determination surface, the third processing unit of the lower end point trajectory of the leg that is out of bed among the plurality of legs. An increase is set as the second action plan element.

A moving device according to a seventh invention is the moving device according to the fifth invention, wherein the moving device of the fifth invention comprises an arm body extending from the base as the second portion, and the second processing section satisfies the contact condition on the second determination surface. The third processing unit sets, as the second action plan element, an increase in the lower end point trajectory of the arm body due to a change in posture of the arm body on the condition that it is determined that the first space element exists. And

According to the moving device of the fifth to seventh inventions, there is a possibility that the second part of the moving device (including a plurality of legs (sixth invention) or an arm (seventh invention)) contacts the object. In some cases, it is determined whether or not contact with the object can be avoided by raising the lower end point trajectory of the second part. Specifically, when it is determined that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the determination surface including at least a part of the lower end point trajectory of the second part, the lower end point trajectory of the second part is increased. On the assumption that the second action plan element has been changed, the presence or absence of the contact condition is determined on the determination surface including at least a part of the lower end point trajectory of the second portion after the change.

And when the said determination result is negative, while the path | route as a 1st action plan element is changed as mentioned above, a 2nd action plan element is maintained as it is. The moving device can move to the target position while avoiding contact with the object by moving according to the changed route as the first action plan element. On the other hand, when the determination result is affirmative, the route as the first action plan element is not changed, while the second action plan element is changed according to the assumption. Then, the moving device moves according to the route as the first action plan element and changes the posture according to the second action plan element, thereby moving to the target position while avoiding contact with the object. it can. Thereby, the change frequency of the moving direction of the moving device can be kept low, and a situation in which an unexpected behavior change of the object is induced by changing the moving direction of the moving device can be avoided.

Mobile apparatus of the eighth invention, the discriminant plane in a mobile device, comprising at least a portion of the left or right edge trajectory of the third part of the mobile device serving as the first processing unit is the endpoint trajectory of the first invention The reference space element, the first space element, and the second space element are recognized on the third determination surface, and the second processing unit determines the third determination surface based on the recognition result by the first processing unit. The presence or absence of the first space element that satisfies the contact condition is determined, and the second processing unit determines that the first space element that satisfies the contact condition exists on the third determination surface, The third processing unit assumes leftward movement or rightward movement of the left or right end point trajectory of the third part as the second action plan element.

A moving device of a ninth invention is the moving device of the eighth invention, comprising an arm body extending from a base body as the third portion, wherein the second processing unit satisfies the contact condition on the third determination surface. On the condition that it is determined that the first spatial element exists, the third processing unit performs the right movement or the left movement of the left or right end point trajectory of the arm body due to the posture change of the arm body. It is characterized by setting as.

A moving apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the moving apparatus according to the eighth aspect, comprising a plurality of legs that extend from the base and operate while repeatedly leaving and landing as the third portion, On the condition that it is determined that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the third determination surface, the third processing unit performs right movement or left movement of the left or right end point trajectories of the plurality of legs. The first action plan element includes an arm extending from a base body as the third part, and the first processing condition is satisfied by the second processing unit on the third determination surface. On the condition that it is determined that there is a spatial element, the third processing unit sets the right or left movement of the left or right end point trajectory of the arm body due to the posture change of the arm body as the second action plan element And wherein the Rukoto.

According to the moving device of the eighth to tenth inventions, there is a possibility that the third portion of the moving device (including the arm (9th invention) or the plurality of legs (10th invention)) contacts the object. In some cases, it is determined whether or not contact with the object can be avoided by moving the left or right end point trajectory of the third part to the right or left. Specifically, when it is determined that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the third determination plane including at least a part of the left or right end point trajectory of the third portion, the left or right end of the third portion On the assumption that the second action plan element has been changed so that the point trajectory moves to the right or left, a third determination including at least a part of the left or right end point trajectory of the third part after the change The presence or absence of contact conditions on the surface is determined.

If the determination result is negative, the route as the first action plan element is changed as described above. The moving device can move to the target position while avoiding contact with the object by moving according to the changed route as the first action plan element. On the other hand, when the determination result is affirmative, the route as the first action plan element is not changed, while the second action plan element is changed according to the assumption. Then, the moving device moves according to the route as the first action plan element and changes the posture according to the second action plan element, thereby moving to the target position while avoiding contact with the object. it can. Thereby, the change frequency of the moving direction of the moving device can be kept low, and a situation in which an unexpected behavior change of the object is induced by changing the moving direction of the moving device can be avoided.

The moving device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the moving device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the first processing unit determines the behavior state of the object, the position, speed, and The first space element that is recognized as a part or all of the acceleration and is expanded intermittently or continuously according to the recognition result so as not to include the reference space element is recognized as the second space element. It is characterized by doing.

According to the moving device of the eleventh aspect, the spread of the second space element on the determination surface is determined according to at least one of the position, velocity, and acceleration of the first space element on the determination surface according to the behavior state of the object. It is done. Accordingly, the moving device can move or act so as not to contact the superimposition of the future image of the object predicted based on the position of the object.

The moving device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the moving device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the first processing unit determines the behavior state of the object based on the speed of the first space element on the determination surface and the first space relative to the reference space element. The first spatial element that is recognized as a relative position and a relative speed of an element and that is expanded intermittently or continuously according to the recognition result is recognized as the second spatial element. A mobile device according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the mobile device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, further comprising a camera having a part of the periphery of the mobile device as an imaging range, wherein the first processing unit passes through the camera. The first spatial element and the second spatial element are recognized based on the obtained image.

According to the moving device of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the spread of the second space element on the determination surface is determined by the speed of the first space element on the determination surface according to the behavior state of the object, and the relative position of the first space element with respect to the reference space element And determined according to the relative speed. As a result, the moving device may move or act so as not to touch the superimposition of the future image of the object predicted based on the speed of the object and the relative position and relative speed of the object with respect to the moving device. it can.

A moving device according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the moving device according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the first processing unit is expanded on the determination surface according to an external characteristic of the moving device. A region corresponding to an external characteristic is recognized as the first spatial element.

According to the mobile device of the fourteenth aspect, the external characteristics of the mobile device and the object can be collectively reflected in the external characteristics of the first spatial element on the determination surface. For this reason, while simplifying easy handling of the reference space element on the determination surface and, in turn, determining whether or not there is a possibility of contact between the reference space element and the first space element, improvement or maintenance of the determination accuracy is achieved. Can be achieved.

The mobile device according to a fifteenth aspect is the mobile device according to the fourteenth invention, wherein the first processing unit calculates the Minkowski sum of two regions according to the external characteristics of the mobile device and the object on the determination surface. It is characterized by being recognized as one spatial element.

According to the moving device of the fifteenth aspect, the external characteristics of the moving device and the object can be collectively reflected in the external characteristics of the first spatial element as the Minkowski sum on the determination plane. For this reason, although easy handling such as a point of the reference space element or a minute region on the determination surface, and determination of the possibility of contact between the reference space element and the first space element is facilitated, The determination accuracy can be improved or maintained.

The mobile device according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the mobile device according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein the second processing unit is included in the specified range in which the travel cost has a positive lower limit value. This is characterized in that the presence or absence of the first spatial element that satisfies the first contact condition is determined.

According to the mobile device of the sixteenth aspect of the invention, since the object is near the mobile device, changing the behavior of the mobile device may induce an unexpected behavior change of the object, which may increase the possibility of contact between the two. A situation in which the action plan element is changed in a certain state can be avoided.

Control system of the seventeenth invention, the mobile device so as to adjust the respective positions and attitude independently according to their second action plan element for determining the variant of the first action plan element and orientation defining a variant of the position A system for controlling an operation, wherein a determination plane including at least a part of an end point trajectory of the moving device determined based on the second action plan element includes a current image of the moving device, a current image of an object, and the current Each of the intermittent or continuous future images of the object corresponding to the behavioral state of the object, which has a larger spatial extent than the image, is more spatial than the reference spatial element, the first spatial element, and the first spatial element. a first processing section recognizes a respective spread is large second spatial element based on the recognition result by the first processing unit, and contact conditions in the discriminant plane A second contact condition in which there is an intersection or contact point between the reference space element and the first space element when moving along the path as the first action plan element, or from the reference space element to the first the second process for determining the presence or absence of the first spatial element that satisfies the first contact condition and the second contact condition that the movement cost is defined to be higher as the distance to the spatial element is long it is within the prescribed range and parts, assuming the second action plan element involving changing the endpoint trajectory by the second processing unit as the contact condition is satisfied the requirement that the first spatial element is determined to exist in the discriminant plane, the reference spatial element in the new discriminant plane including at least part of said end point trajectory after change to the first processor under the assumption, the first spatial element and To recognize the serial second spatial element, and said in the new discriminant plane is determined whether the contact condition is satisfied the first spatial element, the contact condition is satisfied in the new discriminant plane by the second processing unit On the basis of the recognition result by the first processing unit on the determination surface including at least a part of the end point trajectory before the change, on the condition that it is determined that the first spatial element still exists. While changing the path as the first action plan element so that the space element can avoid contact with the second space element, the second processing unit satisfies the contact condition on the new determination surface. And a third processing unit for setting a new second action plan element according to the assumption on the condition that it is determined that one spatial element does not exist.

According to the control system of the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to move while avoiding the contact with the object while suppressing the frequency of route change due to the posture change of the moving device, and thus the frequency of inducing the behavior change of an object such as a human being low. Thus, the operation of the mobile device can be controlled.

A control program according to an eighteenth aspect of the invention is mounted on a mobile device that independently adjusts each of a position and a posture according to each of a first action plan element that defines a position change mode and a second action plan element that defines a posture change mode. The computer is made to function as the control system of the seventeenth invention .

According to the control program of the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the computer mounted on the mobile device is suppressed while reducing the frequency of route change due to the posture change of the mobile device, and thus the frequency of inducing the behavior change of an object such as a human being. It is possible to function as a system for controlling the moving device so as to move while avoiding contact with an object.

A supervisory system according to a nineteenth aspect of the invention supervises a mobile device that independently adjusts each of a position and a posture in accordance with each of a first action plan element that defines a position change mode and a second action plan element that defines a posture change mode. A system is characterized in that at least a part of the control program according to the eighteenth aspect of the invention is distributed or broadcasted to the computer mounted on the mobile device.

According to the supervisory system of the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the frequency of route change due to the posture change of the mobile device, etc., and thus the frequency of inducing the behavior change of an object such as a human being, is suppressed to a low level, while avoiding contact with the object. A mobile device that can act as described above can be realized by distributing a program to a computer mounted on the mobile device at an arbitrary time.

Embodiments of the moving device and the like of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of a robot which is an embodiment of the moving apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The robot 1 includes a base body (body portion) 10, a head 11 provided at the top of the base body 10, left and right arm bodies 12 extending from both the left and right sides of the base body 10, and a lower portion of the base body 10. The left and right legs 13 are provided. The subscripts “L” and “R” are added to distinguish left and right. The robot 1 has a human shoulder joint, an elbow joint, and a wrist by a force transmitted from an actuator (not shown) as disclosed in Table 03/090978 and Table 03/090979. The arm body 12 and the leg body 13 can be bent and extended at a plurality of joint portions corresponding to a plurality of joints such as a joint, a hip joint, a knee joint, and an ankle joint. The robot 1 can move autonomously by movements of the left and right legs 13 that are accompanied by leaving and landing. The height of the head 11 can be adjusted by adjusting the inclination angle of the base 10 with respect to the vertical direction. The head 11 incorporates a pair of CCD cameras 21 that are arranged side by side and directed to the front of the robot 1. The imaging range of the CCD camera 21 can be adjusted by rotating or tilting the head 11 with respect to the base 10 by an actuator.

The robot 1 includes a control system 100 that controls its walking or running motion. The control system 100 includes an ECU or a computer (configured by a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, etc.) as hardware and a “control program” of the present invention as software. The control program may be stored in advance in the memory of the computer. However, when the request signal is transmitted from the robot 1 to the server constituting the “supervision system” of the present invention, the control program is transmitted to the network or artificial It may be distributed or broadcast to the computer via a satellite and stored in the memory.

The control system 100 includes a first processing unit 110, a second processing unit 120, and a third processing unit 130. The first processing unit 110 designates the robot 1, its position and velocity (meaning a velocity vector defined by the direction and length, the same applies hereinafter), the reference space element Q ₀ , the reference position O and the reference on the determination plane. Recognized as each of the speed v ₀ . In addition, the first processing unit 110 recognizes an object such as a human and the position and velocity thereof as the first spatial element Q ₁ , the object position p, and the object velocity v on the determination plane, respectively. Further, the first processing unit 110 applies the first spatial element Q ₁ that is intermittently or continuously expanded according to the relative position of the object position p to the reference position O and the relative speed of the object speed v to the reference speed v ₀ . the second is recognized as spatial element Q _2. The shape and size of the determination plane of the reference space element Q ₀ are recognized by being read from a memory (not shown). Based on the recognition result by the first processing unit 110, the second processing unit 120 determines whether or not there is the first space element Q ₁ that satisfies the “contact condition” that there is a possibility of contact with the reference space element Q ₀ on the determination surface. . Based on the recognition result by the first processing unit 110 based on the recognition result, the third processing unit 130 determines that the second processing unit 120 has determined that the first spatial element Q ₁ satisfying the contact condition exists on the determination surface. A path through which the reference space element Q ₀ can avoid contact with the second space element Q ₂ is set as a “first action plan element”.

Next, functions of the robot having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. The robot 1 walks along a route R _k as a first action plan element that is set in advance as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 6 or set by the third processing unit 130 as will be described later. Or traveling.

The first processing unit 110 executes “first processing” (FIG. 2 / S110). The first processing unit 110 recognizes the robot 1 and its position and velocity as a reference space element Q ₀ on the determination plane, a reference position O and a reference velocity v _{0 on} the robot coordinate system, respectively (FIG. 2 / S112). For example, the robot 1 and its position and speed are recognized as a reference space element Q ₀ , a reference position O, and a reference speed v ₀ as a point or a minute area on the determination surface shown in FIG. As will be described later, since the position of the object x measured based on the image obtained through the CCD camera 21 corresponds to the relative position with respect to the robot 1, the position measurement of the robot 1 is omitted. When the measurement position of the object x does not correspond to the relative position, for example, expressed by latitude and longitude, the position of the robot 1 is measured for measurement of the relative position. The position of the robot 1 is measured based on a signal representing latitude and longitude obtained by the GPS function and a signal representing acceleration of the robot 1 sequentially output from the gyroscope. The speed of the robot 1 can be measured based on the time series measurement position of the robot 1, a signal output from the gyroscope, each joint angle of the leg 13, an inverse dynamic model, or the like.

In addition, the first processing unit 110 recognizes an object such as a human and the position and velocity thereof as the first spatial element Q ₁ , the object position p, and the object velocity v on the determination surface (S 114 in FIG. 2). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when objects x ₁ to x ₄ are present in front of the robot 1 (imaging range of the CCD camera 21), each of the objects x _{1 to} x ₄ and their position and velocity vectors are respectively shown. There first spatial element (region) Q ₁₁ to Q ₁₄ on the discriminant plane as shown in FIG. 6, is recognized as an object position p ₁ ~p ₄ and the object velocity v ₁ to v _4. The position of the object x is measured based on the analysis of the image of the object x obtained through the CCD camera 21. A position measured based on an image obtained through the CCD camera 21 corresponds to a relative position with respect to the robot 1.

The shape and size of the reference space element Q _{0 on} the determination surface can be recognized by reading from the memory (the shape and size of the robot 1 are stored). Further, the shape and size of the first spatial element Q _{1 on} the determination surface are determined based on the recognition result after the type of the object x such as a human or a dog (small animal) is recognized based on the image obtained through the CCD camera 21. Can be recognized by querying a memory or database based on the object (the object type, shape and size are stored or managed in association). Further, the position of the object x may be measured or recognized based on the signal indicating the latitude and longitude transmitted from the communication device or the like included in the object x. Further, the speed of the object x can be measured as a time change of the position of the object x. The determination surface may be defined as a plane or curved surface in which an arbitrary point is specified by latitude and longitude, but the floor surface inclination angle around the robot 1 recognized based on the image obtained through the CCD camera 21 Alternatively, it may be sequentially defined based on the shape such as the presence or absence of a step or unevenness.

When the robot 1 has a box with its arm body 12 or when an optional device for adding a function to the robot 1 is attached to the base body 10, the object such as the box or device is the robot 1. In the situation where the robot 1 is moving integrally with the robot 1, the shape and size of the robot 1 moving integrally and the object may be recognized as the shape and size of the robot 1.

Was extended in accordance with the contour characteristics of the robot 1 (shape and size), the area corresponding to the contour characteristics of the object x on the discriminant plane is recognized as the first spatial element Q _1. More specifically, the Minkowski sum of the two regions having the external characteristics on the determination surface according to the external characteristics of the robot 1 and the object x is recognized as the first region Q ₁ . For example, when the robot 1 and the object x are respectively defined as a circular robot region q _robot and a rectangular object region q _{object on the} determination plane shown in FIG. As shown, the Minkowski sum q _robot + q _object of the two areas expressed as rectangular areas with rounded corners is recognized as the first spatial element Q ₁ . When the center of the robot region q _robot has moved around the robot region q _robot the object region q _object so as to trace the contour of the object region q _object, it draws a portion protruding from the object region q _object of the robot region q _robot The sum of the annular region and the object region q _object corresponds to the Minkowski sum. The shape and size of the robot region q _robot are stored in advance in a memory according to the size (or shape and size) of the robot 1 and are recognized by being read from the memory. The object region q _object is recognized as a region having a spread corresponding to the size (or shape and size) of the object x recognized based on the image obtained through the CCD camera 21. The object region q _object may be recognized as the first space element Q ₁ as it is, and the object region q _object expanded according to the external characteristics such as the size of the robot region q _robot by a method different from the Minkowski sum is used as the first region element Q ₁ . It may be recognized as one spatial element Q ₁ .

Further, the first processing unit 110 recognizes the first space element Q ₁ expanded according to the reference position O and the object position p, and the reference speed v ₀ and the object speed v as the second space element Q ₂ (FIG. 2). / S116). For example, as a result of the first space element Q ₁ shown on the left side of FIG. 5A being continuously stretched in the direction corresponding to the relative speed (vector) v−v ₀ of the object speed v with respect to the reference speed v ₀ . A substantially straight belt-like second spatial element Q ₂ shown on the right side of FIG. 5A is recognized. The amount of extension of the first space element Q ₁ is based on the following equation (1) based on the velocity v, the object position (relative position) p (= p−O), and the relative velocity v−v ₀ of the first space element. Is set.
(Stretching amount) = | p | ・ | v | / | v−v ₀ | (1)

Further, as a result of the first space element Q ₁ shown on the left side of FIG. 5B being continuously stretched so as to turn according to the relative speed v−v ₀ , it is shown on the right side of FIG. 5B. A bent belt-like second spatial element Q ₂ is recognized. In the situation shown in FIG. 3 described above, the second spatial elements Q _{21 to} Q ₂₄ as shown in FIG. 6 are recognized. As a result of the first spatial element Q ₁ shown on the left side of FIG. 5C being intermittently stretched in the direction corresponding to the relative speed v−v ₀ , the first space element Q ₁ is shown on the right side of FIG. A second spatial element Q ₂ consisting of separate spatial elements may be recognized. Stretched portion of the first spatial element Q ₁ is equivalent to the future image of the object predicted in accordance with the object behavior state of (position and velocity).

Subsequently, the second processing unit 120 determines whether there is a possibility of contact between the reference space element Q ₀ and the first space element Q ₁ on the determination surface recognized by the first processing unit 110, that is, the robot 1 and each object. A “second process” is performed to determine whether or not there is a possibility of contact (FIG. 2 / S120).

The second processing unit 120 determines whether or not there is the first space element Q ₁ that satisfies the “first contact condition” regarding the movement cost from the reference space element Q _{0 on the} determination surface (FIG. 2 / S122). The movement cost is evaluated by the third processing unit 130 as a function of one or both of the time required for the reference space element to contact the first space element and the movement distance on the determination surface. The reference spatial element Q ₀ shown in FIG. 6, the distance d, the reference spatial element Q ₀ and the first along a linear distance or path between each of the first spatial element Q ₁₁ to Q ₁₄ (dashed line) spatial elements Q ₁₁ to Q ₁₄ is moved while maintaining the respective reference speed v ₀ and the velocity v, the time required for contact with the respective reference spatial element Q ₀ and the first spatial element Q ₁₁ ~Q ₁₄ t = ( d / | v ₀ −v |)), or an increase function of one or both of the distance d and the required time t is evaluated as the movement cost.

For example, the first contact condition that “the movement cost is within a specified range {0, ε ₊ (> 0)}” is adopted, and the route R _k indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 6 is the latest action plan. Consider the case where it is set according to. In this case, it can be determined that of the four first space elements Q _{11 to} Q ₁₄ , three first space elements Q _{11 to} Q _{13 that} are close to the reference space element Q ₀ satisfy the first contact condition.

When the second processing unit 120 determines that the first space element Q ₁ satisfying the first contact condition exists (FIG. 2 / S122... YES), the second processing unit 120 corresponds to the action plan of the robot 1 in the first space element Q ₁ . determines whether or not there is a first spatial element Q ₁ which satisfies the "second contact condition" concerning the positional relationship between the route R _K reference spatial element Q ₀ extending from the reference position O on the discriminant plane to the target position p _d ( FIG. 2 / S124).

For example, "the route R _K and intersection or contact between the first spatial element Q ₁ is present" is adopted as the second contact condition, and the route R _K shown in Figure 6 by a one-dot chain line first action Consider the case where it is set as a planning element. In this case, among the first first three meets a contact condition spatial elements Q ₁₁ to Q ₁₃ as the first spatial element Q ₁₂ is also intersected with the path R _K is satisfied the second contact condition It is determined that Note tangent (reference space of "the shortest distance or a path that accumulated or integral part or along the whole of R _K is equal to or less than a predetermined value of the first up spatial element Q _1" and "reference position O in the path R _K “The intersection or contact between the element Q ₀ and the first space element Q ₁ exists” may be adopted as the second contact condition.

As described above, when the first space element Q ₁ that satisfies both the “first contact condition” and the “second contact condition” exists (FIG. 2 / S122... YES, S124... YES), the reference space element Q ₀ It is determined that there is a first spatial element Q ₁ that can be contacted. In addition, even when there is a first space element Q ₁ that satisfies only one of the first contact condition and the second contact condition, there is a first space element Q ₁ that is likely to contact the reference space element Q _0. It may be determined.

If it is determined by the second processing unit 120 that the first space element Q ₁ satisfying the second contact condition exists (FIG. 2 / S124... YES), the third processing unit 130 determines all the second space elements. A “third process” is executed to set a new route of the reference space element Q ₀ that can avoid contact with Q ₂ as the first action plan element (FIG. 2 / S 130).

One of the first spatial element Q ₁₂ of the first spatial element Q ₁₁ to Q ₁₄ of the four in the example shown in FIG. 6 because the first and second contact condition is satisfied as described above, is indicated by a solid line As shown, a new route R _{K + 1} that does not contact all the second space elements Q _{21 to} Q ₂₄ is set as the first action plan element. In response to this, the robot 1 is not the route R _K shown in Figure 6 as the first action plan element ahead by a one-dot chain line, indicated by a solid line in FIG. 6 as a new first action plan element It moves according to the route _{RK + 1} .

Further, the third processing unit 130 determines whether or not the distance | O−p _d | between the reference position O of the reference space element Q ₀ and the target position p _d is equal to or less than the threshold value δ on the determination plane, that is, the target of one pixel of the robot. It is determined whether or not the position has been reached (FIG. 2 / S132). The determination is also performed when the determination result by the second processing unit 120 is negative (FIG. 2 / S122... NO, S124... NO) (FIG. 2 / S132).

And when the said determination result is negative (FIG. 2 / S122 ... NO), the above-mentioned 1st process, 2nd process, etc. are performed again. For example, a transition is made from the situation shown in FIG. 6 to the situation shown in FIG. 7, and one first spatial element Q ₁₂ out of the four first spatial elements Q _{11 to} Q ₁₄ becomes the first and second again. When it is determined that the contact condition is satisfied, the route R _{K + 1} indicated by the one-dot chain line as the first first action plan element in FIG. 7 is indicated by the solid line as the new first action plan element. It is changed to the new route R _{K + 2} shown. On the other hand, when the determination result is affirmative (FIG. 2 / S132... YES), the above-described series of processing ends.

According to the robot 1 that exhibits the function, the change frequency of the route R _k as the first action plan element is suppressed for the following reason.

That is, only the first space element Q _{1 that} satisfies the first contact condition regarding the movement cost on the determination surface is the target of the applicability determination of the second contact condition (see FIG. 2 / YES in S122, S124). As a result, the first spatial element Q ₁ corresponding to the object x located far from the robot 1 is removed from the determination of whether or not the second contact condition is appropriate and, therefore, whether or not a route change is necessary. Therefore, all of the first spatial element to Q ₁ changes the frequency of the path R _k is suppressed than when it is subjected to the appropriation determination of the second contact condition.

In addition, it is a requirement for changing the route R _k that at least one of the first spatial elements Q ₁ satisfying the first contact condition on the determination surface further satisfies the second contact condition regarding the positional relationship with the current route ( (See FIG. 2 / S124... YES, S130). The first spatial element Q ₁ is recognized as a spatial element having a relatively small spread on the determination surface (see FIGS. 5A to 5C). Therefore, the route as the first action plan element is greater than the case where the sufficiency of the second contact condition is determined with reference to a spatial element that is larger than the first spatial element Q ₁ such as the second spatial element Q _2. The change frequency of R _k is suppressed to be low.

Further, the first shape and the size of the spatial element Q ₁ on the discriminant plane can be recognized by a query to a database or the like. As a result, the object x is defined as the first spatial element Q ₁ having an excessively large spread on the determination plane in view of the actual size due to the limit of the measurement accuracy of the size (or shape and size) of the object x by the CCD camera 21 or the like. Recognized situations can be avoided. And the change frequency of the path | route as a 1st action plan and the change frequency of the moving direction of the robot 1 accompanying this, etc. are suppressed low. That is, a situation in which the path of the robot 1 is frequently changed due to the limit of the accuracy of recognizing the external characteristic of the object x through the CCD camera 21 or the like is avoided.

As described above, the frequency with which the behavior of the robot 1 is changed is suppressed by the amount by which the change frequency of the route R _k as the first action plan element is suppressed. Thereby, the behavior change of the object x such as a human being is induced according to the behavior change of the robot 1, and the situation where the possibility that the robot 1 and the object x are in contact with each other may be avoided. Further, an amount corresponding to the change frequency of the path R _k as the first action plan element is reduced, the load of information processing required for the route change can be reduced.

Further, an appropriate route R _{k + 1} is set from the viewpoint of surely avoiding the robot 1 from contacting the object x for the following reason. That is, when there is at least one first space element Q ₁ satisfying the first contact condition and the second contact condition on the determination surface as described above, the reference space element Q ₀ makes contact with the second space element Q _2. A new route R _{k + 1} that can be avoided is set (FIG. 2 / S122... YES, S124... YES, S130, see FIGS. 6 to 7). The second spatial element Q ₂ is recognized as a spatial element having a relatively large spread on the determination surface (see FIGS. 5A to 5C). For this reason, the robot 1 is connected to the object x compared to the case where a new path is set with reference to a space element whose reference space element Q ₀ is smaller than the second space element Q ₂ such as the first space element Q _1. From the viewpoint of reliable contact avoidance, an appropriate route R _{k + 1} is set.

Furthermore, the shape and size of the first space element Q _{1 on} the determination surface are recognized by a query to a database or the like, and the shape and size of the second space element Q ₂ are based on the shape and size of the first space element Q _1. Determined. This avoids a situation in which the object x is recognized as the second spatial element Q ₂ having an excessively large spread on the determination plane in view of the actual size due to the limit of the measurement accuracy of the size of the object x by the CCD camera 21 or the like. Can be done. And the situation where the path | route as a 1st action plan is changed too much from a viewpoint of contact with the object x is avoided.

Subsequently, each of the spatial elements Q ₀ , Q _1, and Q ₂ is recognized not only on one determination plane but also on each of the plurality of determination planes, and the first and second ones on any of the plurality of determination planes. An embodiment in which the presence of the first spatial element Q ₁ that satisfies the contact condition is regarded as a change requirement for the first action plan element will be described.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the robot 1 includes a first object x ₁ such as a cat or a dog that is shorter than the robot 1, and a second person such as a human whose height is similar to that of the robot 1. consider the situation to walk to pass each other between the object x _2.

In this situation, when each of the robot 1, the first object x _1, and the second object x ₂ is recognized only on one determination plane P, the reference plane P shown in FIG. It may be recognized as space element Q ₀ and first space elements Q ₁₁ and Q ₁₂ . In this case, it is determined that the first spatial element Q ₁ satisfying the first and second contact conditions exists, and the previous route R _k can be changed to a new route R _{k + 1} (FIG. 2 / S124... YES, S130). reference). That is, since the three-dimensional outer shape characteristics of the robot 1 and the like are not taken into consideration, the first space element Q ₁ is recognized as a large space element, and the robot 1 avoids contact with the object x by this amount. There is a high possibility that one action plan element is set.

On the other hand, by recognizing the reference space element Q ₀ or the like on each of the plurality of determination surfaces, the path is changed at an appropriate frequency in view of the three-dimensional shape characteristics of the robot 1 and each object x, and An appropriate route can be set from the viewpoint of reliable contact avoidance between the robot 1 and each object x.

For example, in the above situation, the reference space element Q ₀ or the like is recognized in each of the determination plane P (h ₁ ) having a height h ₁ from the floor and the determination plane P (h ₂ ) having a height h ₂ (> h ₁ ). Consider the case. In this case, on the determination plane P (h ₁ ), the first object x ₁ and the second object x ₂ are recognized as the first spatial elements Q ₁₁ and Q ₁₂ as shown in FIG. The Also be in the discriminant plane P of the height _{h 2 (> h 1) (} h 2) recognized as the first spatial element Q _12, such as shown in the second object x ₂ although only 9 (b) . The first object x ₁ is not recognized on the determination plane P (h ₂ ). This is because the height of the first object x ₁ is less than the height h ₂ .

The second object x ₂ is recognized as a relatively large first space element Q _{12 on the} determination plane P (h ₂ ), while it is recognized as a relatively small first space element Q _{12 on} the determination plane P (h ₁ ). Has been. This is because the upper body of the robot 1 is larger than the lower body due to the presence of the arm body 12 or the like (see FIG. 1), and the human being the second object x ₂ is also larger in size than the lower body. . In other words, the size of the Minkowski sum of the robot region q _robot and the object region q _object on the determination plane P (h ₂ ) on the upper body of the robot 1 and the second object x ₂ is the lower body of the robot 1 and the object x ₂ . This is because it becomes larger than the Minkowski sum q _robot + q _object in the determination plane P (h ₁ ) (see FIG. 4). Since the path R _k extending from the reference space element Q ₀ to the target position p _d and the first space element Q ₁ do not intersect on both of these two determination surfaces P (h ₁ ) and P (h ₂ ), the second contact condition It is determined that there is no first spatial element Q ₁ that satisfies the condition, and the route R _k as the first action plan element is maintained as it is (see NO in FIG. 2 / S124).

As a result, the path R _k can be changed at an appropriate frequency in consideration of the three-dimensional shapes and sizes of the robot 1 and the object x. That is, each of the robot 1 and the object x generally has an external characteristic that the shape and size change according to the position, such as the height from the floor surface. For this reason, the shape and size of each different location (height) of the robot 1 and the object x can be reflected in the shape and size of the first space element Q ₁ recognized on each of the plurality of determination surfaces. As a result, the robot 1 recognized as the reference space element Q ₀ is recognized as the first space element Q ₁ in view of the behavioral state such as the three-dimensional outer shape characteristics, position, and velocity of the robot 1 and the object x. From the viewpoint of avoiding contact with x, the route R _k as the first action plan element can be changed with an appropriate frequency.

In addition, a route R _{k + 1} that avoids contact of the reference space element Q ₀ with the second space element Q ₂ is set as the first action plan element in all of the plurality of determination surfaces. Thereby, in view of the three-dimensional shapes and sizes of the robot 1 and the object, an appropriate route R _{k + 1} can be set from the viewpoint of avoiding contact between them.

Therefore, the robot 1 can continue to move while avoiding contact with the object x while suppressing the frequency of inducing the behavior change of the object x such as a human being low.

Further, the Minkowski sum q ₀ + q of the two regions q ₀ and q corresponding to the external characteristics of the robot 1 and the object x is recognized as the first space element Q ₁ . Thus, each of the size and shape of the robot 1 and the object x can be collectively reflected in the first spatial element to Q ₁ size and shape on the discriminant plane. For this reason, easy handling of the reference space element Q _{0 on} the determination surface as a point or a minute area, and determination of the presence or absence of the first space element Q ₁ that may be in contact with the reference space element Q ₀ is facilitated. However, the determination accuracy can be improved or maintained.

In addition to the robot that moves by the movement of a pair of left and right legs like the robot 1, the control method is a movement function such as a robot that moves by the action of three or more legs, a wheeled mobile robot (automobile), etc. It may be applied to any device having

In addition, when a positive value is adopted instead of 0 as the lower limit value of the specified range regarding the movement cost, the first contact condition is not satisfied when the movement cost is less than the lower limit value, and the new first action plan element The route R _k is not changed (see NO in FIG. 2 / S122). As a result, since the object x is near the robot 1, changing the behavior of the robot 1 induces a change in the behavior of the object x. A situation in which the moving direction is changed can be avoided.

Next, another embodiment of the moving device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. According to the other embodiment, the robot 1 controls its posture according to the “second action plan element”.

The first processing unit 110 includes a reference space element Q ₀ , a first space element Q _1, and a second space element Q ₂ on a determination plane including at least a part of the end point trajectory tr of the robot 1 determined based on the second action plan element. Recognize The second processing unit 120 determines the presence or absence of the first spatial element Q _{1 that} satisfies the first and second contact conditions based on the recognition result by the first processing unit 110. Assuming that the second processing unit 120 determines that the first spatial element Q ₁ satisfying the contact condition exists, the third processing unit 130 assumes a change of the second action plan element with a change of the end point trajectory tr. To do. That is, a requirement that the third processing unit 130 is determined with the contact condition is satisfied first spatial element Q ₁ is present by the second processing unit 120, immediately route as the first action plan element as described above It is different from the above embodiment in that it is not changed.

The first processing unit 110 assumes at least a part of the end point trajectory tr under the assumption that the posture of the robot 1 is controlled according to the changed second action plan element assumed by the third processing unit 130. The reference space element Q ₀ , the first space element Q _1, and the second space element Q ₂ are recognized again on the included determination surface. The second processing unit 120 determines the presence or absence of the first spatial element Q _{0 that} satisfies the contact condition on the determination surface based on the recognition result under the assumption by the first processing unit 110. The third processing unit 130 is based on the recognition result by the first processing unit 110 on the condition that the second processing unit 120 determines that the first spatial element Q ₁ satisfying the contact condition exists under the assumption. The route R _{k + 1} as the first action plan element is changed so that the reference space element Q ₀ can avoid contact with the second space element Q ₂ on the determination surface. On the other hand, the third processing unit 130 is based on the assumption that the second processing unit 120 determines that the first spatial element Q ₁ satisfying the contact condition does not exist. Set action plan elements.

The function of the robot 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 10A, a wavy upper end point trajectory tr ₁ (before change) of the head (first portion) 11 is defined as a second action plan element, and FIG. As shown, the presence or absence of the first spatial element Q _{1 that} satisfies the first and second contact conditions on the wavy first determination plane P ₁ (before change) including the entire upper end point trajectory tr ₁ (before change). Suppose that is determined. The upper end point trajectory tr ₁ (before change) of the head 11 is wavy. The head 11 moves up and down in response to a change in posture accompanying a change in the knee joint angle of the leg 13 in the landing state. It is to do. The “first part” of the robot 1 may be the left and right arm bodies 12 in addition to the head 11. Further, the plane as shown in FIG. 16B includes only a part (maximum point group or minimum point group of the wave) of the wavy upper end point trajectory tr ₁ (before change). May be defined as the first determination plane P ₁ (before change).

Since the upper end point trajectory tr ₁ (before change) of the head 11 shown in FIG. 10A is in contact with the object x, the robot 1 moves according to the current first and second action plan elements. If it continues, the head 11 will contact the object x as shown with the broken line in Fig.11 (a). For this reason, in addition to the first contact condition on the first determination plane P ₁ (before change) by the second processing unit 120, the route R _k as the first action plan element as shown in FIG. It is determined that there is a first spatial element Q ₁ that satisfies the second contact condition of intersecting. The route R _k as the first action plan element may be the same as the upper end point trajectory tr ₁ (before change) of the head 13 as the second action plan element.

A second action plan element that lowers the upper end point trajectory tr ₁ (before change) of the head 11 is assumed by the third processing unit 130 according to the positive determination result by the second processing unit 120. Thereby, for example, the robot 1 increases the inclination angle of the base body 10 in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 10B over at least the sections s01 to s02 shown in FIG. Thus, the upper end point trajectory tr ₁ (after change) of the head 11 that moves while taking the forward tilt posture and lowering the head 11 is assumed as the second action plan element.

Subsequently, the first processing unit 110 assumes the reference space element Q on the wavy first determination plane P ₁ (after change) including the wavy upper end point trajectory tr ₁ (after change) of the head 11 under the assumption. ₀ or the like is recognized (see FIG. 2 / S110).

Since the upper end point trajectory tr ₁ (after change) of the head 11 shown in FIG. 10B does not contact the object x, when the robot 1 moves according to the assumed second action plan element, FIG. The head 11 is positioned below the object x as indicated by a solid line in a). For this reason, the second contact that the second processing unit 120 contacts or intersects with the route R _k as the first action plan element as shown in FIG. 11C on the first determination plane P ₁ (after change). It is determined that the first space element Q ₁ that satisfies the condition does not exist.

In accordance with the determination result by the second processing unit 120, the third processing unit 130 sets the second action plan element according to the process. Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 10B, the robot 1 moves while lowering the head 11 in a forward tilt posture by increasing the tilt angle of the base body 10 in the vertical direction. The upper end point trajectory tr ₁ (after change) of the unit 11 is set as the second action plan element. The robot 1 moves while controlling its posture in accordance with the new second action plan element. Thereby, it is possible to move to the target position while avoiding contact with the object x without changing the route R _k as the first action plan element. Further, the frequency of changing the moving direction of the robot 1 can be kept low, and a situation in which an unexpected behavior change of the object x is induced can be avoided.

On the other hand, in response to the determination by the second processing unit 120 that the first spatial element Q ₁ satisfying the first and second contact conditions exists on the first determination plane P ₁ (after change), the third processing unit 130. As described above, the route R _{k + 1} of the reference space element Q ₀ that can avoid contact with the second space element Q ₂ as described above is set as a new first action plan element (FIG. 2 / S130, FIG. 6). The robot 1 can move to the target position while avoiding contact with the object x by moving according to the changed route R _{k + 1} as the first action plan element.

Also, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), a wavy lower end point trajectory tr ₂ (before change) of the right leg (second portion) 13R is set as the second action plan element, and the lower end Presence / absence of the first spatial element Q _{1 that} satisfies the first and second contact conditions on the wavy second determination plane P ₂ (before change) (see FIG. 16A) including the entire point trajectory tr ₂ (before change). Suppose that is determined. The lower end point trajectory tr ₂ (before change) of the leg 13 has a wavy shape that moves up and down because the robot 1 moves while repeatedly landing and leaving the leg 13. Note that the “second portion” of the robot 1 may include not only one leg 13 but also both legs 13 and each arm 12.

Since the lower end point trajectory tr ₂ (before change) of the right leg 13R shown in FIG. 12 (a) is in contact with the object x, the robot 1 moves according to the current first and second action plan elements. If the operation is continued, the right leg 13R comes into contact with the object x as shown by a broken line in FIG. 13A (the robot 1 is tripped). For this reason, in addition to the first contact condition on the second determination plane P ₂ (before change) by the second processing unit 120, the route R _k as the first action plan element as shown in FIG. It is determined that there is a first spatial element Q ₁ that satisfies the second contact condition of intersecting. The route R _k as the first action plan element may be the same as the lower end point trajectory tr ₂ (before change) of each leg 13 as the second action plan element.

In accordance with the positive determination result by the second processing unit 120, a second action plan element is assumed that causes the third processing unit 130 to raise the lower end point trajectory tr ₂ (before change) of the right leg 13R. . As a result, for example, at least over the sections s01 to s02 shown in FIG. 13B, the robot 1 lifts the right leg 13R in the state of getting out of bed higher than usual as shown in FIG. 12B. Thus, the lower end point trajectory tr ₂ (after change) of the right leg 13R that moves so as to cross the object x is assumed as the second action plan element. In this case, it is a requirement for the assumption of the second action plan element that the distance between the sections s01 to s02 shown in FIG. 13B is smaller than the stride of the robot 1.

Subsequently, under the assumption, the first processing unit 110 performs a reference space element on the wavy second determination plane P ₂ (after change) including the wavy lower end point trajectory tr ₂ (after change) of the right leg 13R. Q _{0 and the} like are recognized (see FIG. 2 / S110).

Since the upper end point trajectory tr ₂ (after change) of the right leg 13R shown in FIG. 12B does not contact the object x, when the robot 1 moves according to the assumed second action plan element, FIG. As shown by a solid line in (a), the right leg 13R is positioned above the object x. For this reason, the second contact that the second processing unit 120 contacts or intersects with the route R _k as the first action plan element as shown in FIG. 13C on the second determination plane P ₂ (after change). It is determined that the first space element Q ₁ that satisfies the condition does not exist.

In accordance with the negative determination result by the second processing unit 120, the second action plan element is set as the assumption by the third processing unit 130. Thereby, for example, the lower end point trajectory tr ₂ (after change) of the right leg 13R shown in FIG. 12B is set as the second action plan element. In order for the robot 1 to straddle the object x, adjusting the stride in front of the object x as necessary may be set as the second action plan element. The robot 1 moves while controlling its posture in accordance with the new second action plan element. Thereby, it is possible to move to the target position while avoiding contact (stumbling) with the object x without changing the route R _k as the first action plan element. Moreover, the situation which induces the unexpected behavioral change of the object x can be avoided by suppressing the change frequency of the moving direction of the robot 1 low.

On the other hand, when the second processing unit 120 determines that the first spatial element Q ₁ satisfying the first and second contact conditions exists on the second determination plane P ₂ (after change), the third processing unit 130 As described above, the route R _{k + 1} of the reference space element Q ₀ that can avoid contact with the second space element Q ₂ as described above is set as a new first action plan element (FIG. 2 / S130, FIG. 6). The robot 1 can move to the target position while avoiding contact with the object x by moving according to the changed route R _{k + 1} as the first action plan element.

Furthermore, Figure 14 right arm member as the second action plan element as shown in (a) (third part) 12R corrugated right end trajectory tr ₃ of (before change) is set, the right end trajectory tr ₃ When the presence or absence of the first spatial element Q ₁ satisfying the first and second contact conditions is determined on the third determination plane P ₃ including all of (before change) (before change) (see FIG. 16A). think of. The right end point trajectory tr ₃ right arm member 12 (before the change) is a wave that fluctuates to the left and right are for the robot 1 moves while repeating the swinging operation of the arms 12 due to its stable posture. Note that the “third portion” of the robot 1 may include not only one arm body 12 but also both arm bodies 12 and each leg body 13.

Since the right end point trajectory tr ₃ (before change) of the right arm body 12R shown in FIG. 14 (a) is in contact with the object x, the robot 1 moves according to the current first and second action plan elements. If it continues, the right arm body 12R will contact the object x as shown with the broken line in Fig.15 (a). For this reason, in addition to the first contact condition on the third determination plane P ₃ (before change) by the second processing unit 120, the route R _k as the first action plan element as shown in FIG. It is determined that there is a first spatial element Q ₁ that satisfies the second contact condition of intersecting.

In accordance with the positive determination result by the second processing unit 120, a second action plan element that moves the right end point trajectory tr ₃ (before change) of the right arm body 12R to the left side is assumed by the third processing unit 130. The Thereby, for example, at least over the sections s01 to s02 shown in FIG. 15B, the robot 1 moves the right arm body 12R to the left as shown in FIG. 14B. The trajectory tr ₃ (after change) is assumed as the second action plan element.

Subsequently, under the assumption, the first processing unit 110 performs the reference space element Q on the wavy third determination plane P ₃ (after change) including the wavy right end point trajectory tr ₃ (after change) of the right arm body 12R. ₀ or the like is recognized (see FIG. 2 / S110).

Since the right end point trajectory tr ₃ (after change) of the right arm body 12R shown in FIG. 14B does not contact the object x, when the robot 1 moves according to the assumed second action plan element, FIG. As indicated by a solid line in a), the right arm body 12R is positioned laterally away from the object x. For this reason, the second contact that the second processing unit 120 contacts or intersects with the route R _k as the first action plan element as shown in FIG. 15C on the third determination plane P ₃ (after change). It is determined that the first space element Q ₁ that satisfies the condition does not exist.

In accordance with the negative determination result by the second processing unit 120, the second action plan element is set as the assumption by the third processing unit 130. Thereby, for example, the right end point trajectory tr ₃ (after change) of the right arm body 12R shown in FIG. 14B is set as the second action plan element. The robot 1 moves while controlling its posture in accordance with the new second action plan element. Thereby, it is possible to move to the target position while avoiding contact with the object x without changing the route R _k as the first action plan element. Moreover, the situation which induces the unexpected behavioral change of the object x can be avoided by suppressing the change frequency of the moving direction of the robot 1 low.

On the other hand, in response to the determination by the second processing unit 120 that the first spatial element Q ₁ satisfying the first and second contact conditions exists on the third determination plane P ₃ (after change), the third processing unit 130. As described above, the route R _{k + 1} of the reference space element Q ₀ that can avoid contact with the second space element Q ₂ as described above is set as a new first action plan element (FIG. 2 / S130, FIG. 6). The robot 1 can move to the target position while avoiding contact with the object x by moving according to the changed route R _{k + 1} as the first action plan element.

A first space that satisfies a contact condition on a determination surface arbitrarily selected from one or more first determination surfaces P ₁ , one or more second determination surfaces P _2, and one or more third determination surfaces P _3. presence determining element Q _1, and the first or second action plan element of may be combined changes in accordance with the determination result. This allows the robot 1 to control its posture in various ways, such as lifting the leg 13 in the state of getting out of the floor while lowering the head 11 while taking the forward leaning posture under the condition that the posture of the robot 1 can be stably maintained. Thus, it is possible to move while avoiding contact with the object x.

Note that it may be set as the (additional) first action plan element that the rate of change of one or both of the direction and magnitude of the speed of the reference space element Q _{0 and the} robot 1 is not more than a threshold value. Thereby, the excessive speed change of the robot 1 by the change of the 1st action plan element and the behavior change accompanying this can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to avoid a situation in which unexpected behavior change of the object x is induced and the possibility of contact between the robot 1 and the object x is increased. Further, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the robot 1 is forced to change its speed exceeding its ability or change its behavior.

Further, the first action plan element may be set so that the reference space element Q _{0 and} thus the speed of the robot 1 is changed with priority over the direction. In this case, considering that the change in the speed direction (movement direction) of the robot 1 tends to induce a change in the behavior of the object, the magnitude (speed) of the speed of the robot 1 has priority over the direction. Be changed. Thereby, the frequency of the behavior change of the robot 1 which induces the behavior change of the object x can be suppressed low.

Further, the third processing unit 130 may set the advance notice of the moving direction of the robot 1 as a “third action plan element”, and the control system 100 may control the operation of the equipment mounted on the robot 1 according to the third action plan. . For example, according to the third action plan element of the movable part corresponding to the human body part such as the base body 10, the head part 11, the arm part 12 and the leg part 13 by controlling the operation of the actuator as the mounted device. The movement direction of the robot 1 may be notified in advance by movement. Accordingly, the human (object x) is adapted to the human (object x) by a behavioral style familiar to humans, such as changing the direction of the front (face) of the head 11, changing the posture of the arm 12, and twisting the upper part of the base 10 with respect to the lower part. It is possible to clearly recognize the moving direction of the robot 1 without feeling uncomfortable. And the action of the direction change of the object x etc. can be induced and the contact possibility of the robot 1 and the object x can be reduced. Also, the robot 1 is provided with a direction indicator, a light irradiation device, a voice output device, or the like as an installed device, the lighting of the direction indicator according to the third action plan element, the irradiation of the beam by the light irradiation device, the voice by the voice output device. The movement direction of the robot 1 may be notified in advance.

Configuration diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention Functional explanatory diagram of the mobile device of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

1 ‥ robot (mobile apparatus), 100 ‥ control system 112 first processing unit ‥, 120 ‥ second processing unit, 130 ‥ third processing unit, x ‥ object, Q ₀ ‥ reference spatial element, Q ₁ ‥ first Spatial element, Q ₂ ... 2nd spatial element

Claims (22)

A moving device that includes a control system, moves according to the first action plan element by controlling the operation by the control system, and adjusts the posture according to the second action plan element, the control system comprising:
The object according to the current image of the moving device, the current image of the object, and the behavior state of the object on a determination plane including at least a part of the representative point trajectory of the moving device determined based on the second action plan element A first processing unit that recognizes each of the intermittent or continuous future images as a reference space element, a first space element, and a second space element;
A second processing unit that determines the presence or absence of the first spatial element that satisfies a contact condition that there is a possibility of contact with the reference spatial element on the determination surface based on a recognition result by the first processing unit;
Assuming that the second action plan element with the change of the representative point trajectory is assumed on the condition that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the determination plane by the second processing unit, the assumption And causing the first processing unit to recognize the reference space element, the first space element, and the second space element in a new determination plane including at least a part of the representative point trajectory after the change, And determining whether or not the first spatial element satisfies the contact condition on the new determination surface,
Including at least a part of the representative point trajectory before the change, on the condition that the second processing unit has determined that the first spatial element that satisfies the contact condition still exists on the new determination plane. On the determination surface, based on the recognition result by the first processing unit, a path through which the reference space element can avoid contact with the second space element is set as the first action plan element, while the second processing is performed. A third processing unit that sets a new second action plan element according to the assumption, with the requirement that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition does not exist on the new determination plane by the unit. A moving device comprising: The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein
In the first determination surface as the determination surface, the first space element includes the reference space element and the first space element, wherein the first processing unit includes at least a part of an upper end point orbit of the first portion of the moving device as the representative point orbit. And recognizing said second spatial element;
The second processing unit determines the presence or absence of the first spatial element that satisfies the contact condition on the first determination surface based on a recognition result by the first processing unit;
The third processing unit lowers the upper end point trajectory of the first portion on the condition that the second processing unit determines that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the first determination surface. A moving apparatus which is assumed as the second action plan element. The moving apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a head provided on the upper side of the base body that can tilt with respect to the vertical direction as the first portion.
The third processing unit increases the inclination angle of the base body with respect to the vertical direction on condition that the second processing unit determines that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the first determination surface. And a lowering of the upper end point trajectory of the head is set as the second action plan element. The moving device according to claim 2, comprising an arm body extending from the base body as the first portion,
On condition that the second processing unit has determined that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the first determination surface, the third processing unit is configured to detect the arm body by the posture change of the arm body. A moving apparatus, wherein the lowering of the upper end point trajectory is set as the second action plan element. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein
The reference space element and the first space element in a second determination surface as the determination surface, wherein the first processing unit includes at least a part of a lower end point trajectory of the second part of the moving device as the representative point trajectory. And recognizing said second spatial element;
The second processing unit determines the presence or absence of the first spatial element that satisfies the contact condition on the second determination surface based on a recognition result by the first processing unit,
On the condition that the second processing unit determines that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the second determination surface, the third processing unit increases the lower end point trajectory of the second portion. A moving apparatus which is assumed as the second action plan element. The moving device according to claim 5, comprising a plurality of legs that extend from the base body and operate while repeating leaving and landing as the second portion,
The third processing unit is out of bed among the plurality of legs on the condition that the second processing unit determines that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the second determination surface. A moving device characterized in that an increase in a lower end point trajectory of a leg is set as the second action plan element. The moving device according to claim 5, comprising an arm body extending from the base body as the second portion,
On condition that the second processing unit has determined that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the second determination surface, the third processing unit is configured to detect the arm body by the posture change of the arm body. A moving apparatus, wherein an increase in a lower end point trajectory is set as the second action plan element. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein
In the third determination plane as the determination plane, the first processing unit includes at least a part of the left or right end point trajectory of the third part of the moving device as the representative point trajectory, the first spatial element, Recognizing a spatial element and said second spatial element;
The second processing unit determines the presence or absence of the first spatial element that satisfies the contact condition on the third determination surface based on a recognition result by the first processing unit,
On the condition that the second processing unit has determined that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the third determination plane, the third processing unit determines the left or right end point trajectory of the third portion. A moving apparatus that assumes left movement or right movement as the second action plan element. The moving device according to claim 8, comprising an arm body extending from the base body as the third portion,
On condition that the second processing unit has determined that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the third determination surface, the third processing unit is configured so that the arm body is changed by the posture change of the arm body. A moving device, wherein a right movement or a left movement of a left or right end point trajectory is set as the second action plan element. The moving device according to claim 8, comprising a plurality of legs that extend from the base body and operate while repeating leaving and landing as the third portion,
If the second processing unit determines that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the third determination plane, the third processing unit has left or right end point trajectories of the plurality of legs. A rightward movement or leftward movement is set as the second action plan element. The mobile device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first processing unit determines a behavior state of the object as a part of a position, a velocity, and an acceleration of the first spatial element on the determination surface, or The first spatial element that is recognized as a whole and is expanded intermittently or continuously according to the recognition result so as not to include the reference spatial element is recognized as the second spatial element. Mobile device. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein
The first processing unit recognizes the behavior state of the object as a speed of the first space element on the determination surface, and a relative position and a relative speed of the first space element with respect to the reference space element, and the recognition result The first spatial element expanded intermittently or continuously according to the second spatial element is recognized as the second spatial element. The moving device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first processing unit is expanded on the determination surface according to the outer shape characteristic of the moving device, according to the outer shape characteristic of the object. Is recognized as the first spatial element. The mobile device according to claim 13, wherein
The moving device, wherein the first processing unit recognizes, as the first spatial element, a Minkowski sum of two regions corresponding to the external characteristics of the moving device and the object on the determination plane. 15. The moving device according to claim 1, wherein the second processing unit is based on a recognition result by the first processing unit, and the contact condition relating to the moving cost from the reference space element on the determination surface. And determining whether or not the first spatial element satisfies the first contact condition. The mobile device according to claim 15,
The first spatial element satisfying the first contact condition, wherein the second processing unit uses the first contact condition that the movement cost is within a specified range or the movement cost is lower than a predetermined order. A moving apparatus, characterized by determining the presence or absence of an object. The mobile device according to claim 16, wherein
With the first contact condition that the second processing unit is included in the prescribed range in which the movement cost has a positive lower limit value, the presence or absence of the first space element that satisfies the first contact condition is determined. A mobile device characterized by determining. The mobile device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the second processing unit satisfies a second contact condition as the contact condition related to a positional relationship with the route as the first action plan element. A moving apparatus for determining presence or absence of the first spatial element. The mobile device according to claim 18, wherein
The second contact condition is defined as the second contact condition that there is an intersection or contact with the reference space element when the second processing unit moves along the route as the first action plan element. A moving apparatus for determining presence or absence of the first space element. A method for controlling the operation of a moving device that moves according to a first action plan element and adjusts a posture according to a second action plan element,
The object according to the current image of the moving device, the current image of the object, and the behavior state of the object on a determination plane including at least a part of the representative point trajectory of the moving device determined based on the second action plan element A first process for recognizing each of the intermittent or continuous future images as a reference space element, a first space element, and a second space element;
A second process for determining the presence or absence of the first spatial element that satisfies a contact condition that there is a possibility of contact with the reference spatial element on the determination surface, based on a recognition result in the first process;
The second action plan element with a change in the representative point trajectory is assumed on the condition that it is determined that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the determination plane in the second processing, and the assumption Originally, the first processing unit is made to recognize the reference space element, the first space element, and the second space element in a new determination plane including at least a part of the representative point trajectory after the change, and , The presence or absence of the first spatial element that satisfies the contact condition on the new determination surface,
In the second process, it is determined that the first spatial element that satisfies the contact condition still exists in the new determination plane, and includes at least a part of the representative point trajectory before the change. In the determination surface, based on the recognition result in the first process, a path through which the reference space element can avoid contact with the second space element is set as the first action plan element, while in the second process, the path And executing a third process for setting a new second action plan element according to the assumption that it is determined that the first spatial element that satisfies the contact condition does not exist on a new determination surface. Feature method. A program for causing a computer mounted on a moving apparatus that moves according to a first action plan element and adjusts a posture according to a second action plan element to function as a system that controls the operation of the moving apparatus. The computer
The object according to the current image of the moving device, the current image of the object, and the behavior state of the object on a determination plane including at least a part of the representative point trajectory of the moving device determined based on the second action plan element A first processing unit that recognizes each of the intermittent or continuous future images as a reference space element, a first space element, and a second space element;
A second processing unit that determines the presence or absence of the first spatial element that satisfies a contact condition that there is a possibility of contact with the reference spatial element on the determination surface based on a recognition result by the first processing unit;
Assuming that the second action plan element with the change of the representative point trajectory is assumed on the condition that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition exists on the determination plane by the second processing unit, the assumption And causing the first processing unit to recognize the reference space element, the first space element, and the second space element in a new determination plane including at least a part of the representative point trajectory after the change, And determining whether or not the first spatial element satisfies the contact condition on the new determination surface,
Including at least a part of the representative point trajectory before the change, on the condition that the second processing unit has determined that the first spatial element that satisfies the contact condition still exists on the new determination plane. On the determination surface, a path through which the reference space element can avoid contact with the second space element is set as the first action plan element based on the recognition result by the first processing unit, while the second processing unit And a third processing unit for setting a new second action plan element according to the assumption on the condition that it is determined that the first spatial element satisfying the contact condition does not exist on the new determination surface. A program characterized by functioning as a control system. A system that supervises mobile devices that act autonomously according to action plan elements,
22. A supervisory system, wherein at least a part of the program according to claim 21 is distributed or broadcast to the computer mounted on the mobile device.

Images